Darts Competitor Prakash Jiwa Faced an Eight-Year Suspension for Rigging Four Match Outcomes
In a shocking turn of events, Prakash Jiwa, a 54-year-old darts player, has been slapped with an eight-year ban by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) for screwing over four games. The accused vehemently denied intentionallybotching the matches that took place in 2023, but he did confess to gambling-related charges.
With this ban, Jiwa is barred from participating in any DRA-governed tournaments or holding any position whatsoever until November 2031. The high cost of this hearing landed square on his shoulders, totalling a whopping £17,741 ($22,932).
The controversies unfolded during the Modus Super Series, where he lost against Owen Bates, Adam Hunt, Peter Hudson, and Willie Borland. Notably, none of these opponents are suspected of any wrongdoing.
The rot underground first surfaced when the International Betting Integrity Association blew the whistle on suspicious activity. Two individuals close to Jiwa placed wagers on the Betfair Exchange, pocketing a total of £5,834 ($7,541) in illicit gains.
As the investigation deepened, the authorities uncovered a damning WhatsApp conversation suggesting a collusive gambling scheme. The exchanged messages made it blatantly obvious that Jiwa was in cahoots with the bettors.
Analysts from former darts professionals scrutinized Jiwa's performance in the matches and concluded that his finishes were nothing short of "extremely concerning." The darts he tossed fell more than an inch from the target, an unusual and suspicious pattern.
From high-profile gambling violations to match-fixing schemes, the Darts Regulation Authority is leaving no stone unturned in its mission to maintain the integrity of the sport.
Despite the ban, Jiwa might consider attending non-DRA governed sports tournaments.Owen Bates, Adam Hunt, Peter Hudson, and Willie Borland have not been implicated in any wrongdoing, with their losses to Jiwa remaining legit.The costs of the investigation, amounting to £17,741 ($22,932), may force Jiwa to sell his 541 collected darts memorabilia.
